| Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of invasive | | | | factors. Transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B |
| cancer attacking women in the United States. Last | | | | (NF-? B) is linked to immune cell activation and to the |
| year alone some 213,000 women were diagnosed | | | | stress response. |
| with the disease. The good news is that two million | | | | Active practice of Iyengar yoga, named for its |
| women have survived. Many women with breast | | | | creator B.K.S. Iyengar, differs from the gentle |
| cancer seek complementary interventions that will | | | | restorative practices typically offered to cancer |
| enhance their quality of life. Yet research is lacking | | | | survivors as it can include all the components of |
| whether these programs such as yoga, also benefit | | | | physical fitness. The active practice of âsanas |
| immune function. | | | | (postures) can incorporate cardiovascular endurance, |
| Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of invasive | | | | muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and |
| cancer attacking women in the United States. Last | | | | balance. |
| year alone some 213,000 women were diagnosed | | | | Nineteen women, average age 61 years, diagnosed |
| with the disease. The good news is that two million | | | | with stage I-III breast cancer and receiving ant |
| women have survived. Many women with breast | | | | estrogen or aromatize inhibitor hormonal therapy |
| cancer seek complementary interventions that will | | | | participated in the study. Time since diagnosis was |
| enhance their quality of life. Yet research is lacking | | | | approximately four years. None had any experience |
| whether these programs such as yoga, also benefit | | | | with Iyengar yoga. The subjects were randomized to |
| immune function. | | | | either yoga (n=10) or a wait-list control group (n=9). |
| A new study of breast cancer survivors practicing | | | | Beginning level Iyengar yoga classes were conducted |
| Iyengar yoga – a form of yoga that incorporates | | | | two times per week for eight weeks and included |
| all of the components of physical fitness and focuses | | | | the following yoga poses: standing poses, chest and |
| on structural alignment of the body as well as mental | | | | shoulder openers; and inversions. The women were |
| relaxation – has found that breast cancer | | | | given a home instruction sheet to practice once a |
| survivors who practice yoga have changes in the | | | | week at home a week at home for a total of three |
| way their immune cells respond to activation signals, | | | | yoga sessions per week. |
| which may be important for understanding how | | | | A survey of the subjects demands of illness and a |
| physical activity and meditative practices benefit the | | | | blood sample to determine lymphocyte NF-?B |
| immune system. The function of genes in immune | | | | activation were collected prior to and following the |
| cells can be regulated by proteins called transcription | | | | intervention. |